A chuck (10) has a body (14), a plurality of jaws (22), and a rotatable nut (16). A sleeve (18) is rotatable between a first rotational position and a second rotational position with respect to the nut. An annular array of first teeth (84) are non-rotatable with respect to the body. One or more second teeth (63) are non-rotatable with respect to the nut and axially movable with respect to the body. When the teeth engage, they resist the nut's rotation in the opening direction. An engagement between the sleeve and the one or more second teeth moves the one or more second teeth out of engagement with the first teeth when the sleeve moves from the second rotational position to the first rotational position and moves the one or more second teeth into engagement with the first teeth when the sleeve moves from the first rotational position to the second rotational position.
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1. A chuck for use with a manual or powered driver having a rotatable drive shaft, the chuck comprising:
a body having a nose section, a tail section, and a center axis, the tail section being configured to rotate with the drive shaft and the nose section having an axial bore formed therein and a plurality of passageways formed therethrough and intersecting the axial bore;
a plurality of jaws movably disposed in the passageways;
a nut rotatably mounted about the body and in operative communication with the jaws so that rotation of the nut in a closing direction with respect to the body moves the jaws toward the center axis of the body and rotation of the nut in an opening direction with respect to the body moves the jaws away from the center axis of the body;
a sleeve rotatably mounted about the body, the sleeve being in operative communication with the nut so that the sleeve rotationally drives the nut but is rotatable with respect to the nut between a first rotational position and a second rotational position;
an annular array of first teeth that are non-rotatable about the center axis with respect to the body and facing toward the nose section of the body;
one or more second teeth disposed on a ring, the second teeth being non-rotatable about the center axis with respect to the nut and axially movable with respect to the body, the one or more second teeth being configured so that when the one or more second teeth engage the first teeth, the one or more second teeth and the first teeth resist rotation of the one or more second teeth, and thereby the nut, in the opening direction with respect to the body; and
an engagement between the sleeve and the ring that moves the one or more second teeth out of engagement with the first teeth when the sleeve moves from the second rotational position to the first rotational position and that moves the one or more second teeth into engagement with the first teeth when the sleeve moves from the first rotational position to the second rotational position;
wherein the engagement comprises respective opposing cam surfaces on an inner surface of the sleeve and the ring;
wherein the ring defines a first recess and a second recess on opposite sides of the cam surface defined on the ring, wherein the first recess defines a first axial distance between the one or more second teeth and a depth of the first recess, wherein the second recess defines a second axial distance between the one or more second teeth and a depth of the second recess that is greater than the first distance, and wherein the cam surface defined on the sleeve is received at the first recess in the first rotational position of the sleeve and is received at the second recess at the second rotational position of the sleeve.
8. A chuck for use with a manual or powered driver having a rotatable drive shaft, the chuck comprising:
a body having a nose section, a tail section, and a center axis, the tail section being configured to rotate with the drive shaft and the nose section having an axial bore formed therein and a plurality of passageways formed therethrough and intersecting the axial bore;
a plurality of jaws movably disposed in the passageways;
a sleeve rotatably mounted about the body and in operative communication with the jaws so that rotation of the sleeve in a closing direction with respect to the body moves the jaws toward the center axis of the body and rotation of the sleeve in an opening direction with respect to the body moves the jaws away from the center axis of the body;
a lock disposed operatively between the sleeve and the jaws, the sleeve being in operative communication with the lock so that the sleeve rotationally drives the lock but is rotatable with respect to the lock between a first rotational position and a second rotational position;
an annular array of first teeth that are non-rotatable about the center axis with respect to the body and facing toward the nose section of the body; and
an engagement between the sleeve and a nut that moves the lock from a first condition at which the angular array of first teeth are engaged and the lock resists movement of the jaws in the passageways away from the center axis to a second condition at which the angular array of first teeth are not engaged and the lock permits movement of the jaws in the passageways away from the center axis when the sleeve moves from the second rotational position to the first rotational position and
that moves the lock from the second condition to the first condition when the sleeve moves from the first rotational position to the second rotational position,
wherein the engagement is configured so that a rotational torque applied to the sleeve at which the sleeve moves from the first rotational position to the second rotational position corresponds to an output gripping force between said plurality of jaws that is sufficient to secure a tool in the chuck for a predetermined purpose;
wherein the engagement comprises respective opposing cam surfaces on an inner surface of the sleeve and the nut;
wherein the nut defines a first recess and a second recess on respective opposite sides of the cam surface defined on the nut, wherein the first recess defines a first axial distance between the first teeth and a depth of the first recess, wherein the second recess defines a second axial distance between the first teeth and a depth of the second recess that is greater than the first distance, and wherein the cam surface defined on the sleeve is received at the first recess in the first rotational position of the sleeve and is received at the second recess at the second rotational position of the sleeve.
19. A chuck for use with a manual or powered driver having a rotatable drive shaft, the chuck comprising:
a body having a nose section, a tail section, and a center axis, the tail section being configured to rotate with the drive shaft and the nose section having an axial bore formed therein and a plurality of passageways formed therethrough and intersecting the axial bore;
a plurality of jaws movably disposed in the passageways;
a nut rotatably mounted about the body and in operative communication with the jaws so that rotation of the nut in a closing direction with respect to the body moves the jaws toward the center axis of the body and rotation of the nut in an opening direction with respect to the body moves the jaws away from the center axis of the body;
a sleeve rotatably mounted about the body, the sleeve being in operative communication with the nut so that the sleeve rotationally drives the nut but is rotatable with respect to the nut between a first rotational position and a second rotational position;
an annular array of first teeth that are non-rotatable about the center axis with respect to the body and facing toward the nose section of the body;
one or more second teeth disposed on a ring, the second teeth being that are non-rotatable about the center axis with respect to the nut and axially movable with respect to the body, the one or more second teeth being configured so that when the one or more second teeth engage the first teeth, the one or more second teeth and the first teeth resist rotation of the one or more second teeth, and thereby the nut, in the opening direction with respect to the body; and
an engagement between the sleeve and the ring that moves the one or more second teeth out of engagement with the first teeth when the sleeve moves from the second rotational position to the first rotational position and that moves the one or more second teeth into engagement with the first teeth when the sleeve moves from the first rotational position to the second rotational position, wherein the engagement is configured so that a rotational torque applied to the sleeve at which the sleeve moves from the first rotational position to the second rotational position is approximately fifty-seven inch-pounds or approximately sixty inch-pounds;
wherein the engagement comprises respective opposing cam surfaces on an inner surface of the sleeve and the ring,
wherein the ring defines a first recess and a second recess on opposite sides of the cam surface defined on the ring, wherein the first recess defines a first axial distance between the plurality of second teeth and a depth of the first recess, wherein the second recess defines a second axial distance between the plurality of second teeth and a depth of the second recess that is greater than the first distance, and wherein the cam surface defined on the sleeve is received at the first recess in the first rotational position of the sleeve and is received at the second recess at the second rotational position of the sleeve.
4. The chuck as in
5. The chuck as in
6. The chuck as in
7. The chuck as in
9. The chuck as in
wherein the lock comprises one or more second teeth that are non-rotatable about the center axis with respect to the nut and axially movable with respect to the body, the one or more second teeth being configured so that when the one or more second teeth engage the first teeth, the one or more second teeth and the first teeth resist rotation of the one or more second teeth, and thereby the nut, in the opening direction with respect to the body, and
wherein the engagement is defined between the sleeve and the nut so that the engagement moves the one or more second teeth out of engagement with the first teeth when the sleeve moves from the second rotational position to the first rotational position and moves the one or more second teeth into engagement with the first teeth when the sleeve moves from the first rotational position to the second rotational position.
11. The chuck as in
12. The chuck as in
13. The chuck as in
14. The chuck as in
15. The chuck as in
16. The chuck as in
17. The chuck as in
18. The chuck as in
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The present invention relates generally to chucks for use with drills or other electric or pneumatic power drivers. More particularly, the present invention relates to a chuck of keyless type that may be tightened or loosened by hand or by actuation of the driver motor.
Both hand and electric or pneumatic tool drivers are well known. Although twist drills are the most common tools on such drivers, the tools may also comprise screwdrivers, nut drivers, burrs, mounted grinding stones, and other cutting or abrading tools. Since the tool shanks may be of varying diameter or of polygonal cross section, the device is usually provided with a chuck adjustable over a relatively wide range. The chuck may be attached to the driver by a threaded or tapered bore.
A variety of chucks have been developed in the art. In an oblique jawed chuck, a chuck body includes three passageways disposed approximately 120° apart from each other. The passageways are configured so that their center lines meet at a point along the chuck axis forward of the chuck. The passageways contain three jaws that are movable in the passageways to grip a cylindrical or polygonal tool shank displaced approximately along the chuck center axis. The chuck includes a nut that rotates about the chuck center and that engages threads on the jaws so that rotation of the nut moves the jaws in either direction within the passageways. The body is attached onto the driveshaft of a driver and is configured so that rotation of the body in one direction with respect to the nut forces the jaws into gripping relationship with the tool shank, while rotation in the opposite direction releases the gripping relationship. The chuck may be keyless if it is rotated by hand. Examples of such chucks are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,125,673, 5,193,824, 7,722,054, and 8,616,561, commonly assigned to the present assignee and the entire disclosures of each of which are incorporated by reference herein for all purposes. Various configurations of keyless chucks are known in the art and are desirable for a variety of applications.
The present disclosure recognizes and addresses the foregoing considerations, and others, of prior art constructions and methods.
A chuck for use with a manual or powered driver having a rotatable drive shaft according to an embodiment of the present invention has a body having a nose section, a tail section, and a center axis, the tail section being configured to rotate with the drive shaft and the nose section having an axial bore formed therein and a plurality of passageways formed therethrough and intersecting the axial bore. A plurality of jaws are movably disposed in the passageways. A nut is rotatably mounted about the body and in operative communication with the jaws so that rotation of the nut in a closing direction with respect to the body moves the jaws toward the center axis of the body and rotation of the nut in an opening direction with respect to the body moves the jaws away from the center axis of the body. A sleeve is rotatably mounted about the body, the sleeve being in operative communication with the nut so that the sleeve rotationally drives the nut but is rotatable with respect to the nut between a first rotational position and a second rotational position. An annular array of first teeth are non-rotatable about the center axis with respect to the body and face toward the nose section of the body. One or more second teeth are non-rotatable about the center axis with respect to the nut and axially movable with respect to the body, and configured so that when the one or more second teeth engage the first teeth, the one or more second teeth and the first teeth resist rotation of the one or more second teeth, and thereby the nut, in the opening direction with respect to the body. An engagement between the sleeve and the one or more second teeth moves the one or more second teeth out of engagement with the first teeth when the sleeve moves from the second rotational position to the first rotational position and moves the one or more second teeth into engagement with the first teeth when the sleeve moves from the first rotational position to the second rotational position.
Another embodiment of a chuck for use with a manual or powered driver having a rotatable drive shaft has a body having a nose section, a tail section, and a center axis. The tail section is configured to rotate with the drive shaft, and the nose section has an axial bore formed therein and a plurality of passageways formed therethrough and intersecting the axial bore. A plurality of jaws are movably disposed in the passageways. A sleeve is rotatably mounted about the body and in operative communication with the jaws so that rotation of the sleeve in a closing direction with respect to the body moves the jaws toward the center axis of the body and rotation of the sleeve in an opening direction with respect to the body moves the jaws away from the center axis of the body. A lock is disposed operatively between the sleeve and the jaws, the sleeve being in operative communication with the lock so that the sleeve rotationally drives the lock but is rotatable with respect to the lock between a first rotational position and a second rotational position. An engagement between the sleeve and the lock moves the lock from a first condition at which the lock resists movement of the jaws in the passageways away from the center axis to a second condition at which the lock permits movement of the jaws in the passageways away from the center axis when the sleeve moves from the second rotational position to the first rotational position and that moves the lock from the second condition to the first condition when the sleeve moves from the first rotational position to the second rotational position. The engagement is configured so that a rotational torque applied to the sleeve at which the sleeve moves from the first rotational position to the second rotational position corresponds to an output gripping force between said plurality of jaws that is sufficient to secure a tool in the chuck for a predetermined purpose.
A chuck for use with a manual or powered driver having a rotatable drive shaft according to a further embodiment of the present invention has a body having a nose section, a tail section, and a center axis, the tail section being configured to rotate with the drive shaft and the nose section having an axial bore formed therein and a plurality of passageways formed therethrough and intersecting the axial bore. A plurality of jaws are movably disposed in the passageways. A nut is rotatably mounted about the body and in operative communication with the jaws so that rotation of the nut in a closing direction with respect to the body moves the jaws toward the center axis of the body and rotation of the nut in an opening direction with respect to the body moves the jaws away from the center axis of the body. A sleeve is rotatably mounted about the body, the sleeve being in operative communication with the nut so that the sleeve rotationally drives the nut but is rotatable with respect to the nut between a first rotational position and a second rotational position. An annular array of first teeth are non-rotatable about the center axis with respect to the body. One or more second teeth are non-rotatable about the center axis with respect to the nut and axially movable with respect to the body, the one or more second teeth being configured so that when the one or more second teeth engage the first teeth, the one or more second teeth and the first teeth resist rotation of the one or more second teeth, and thereby the nut, in the opening direction with respect to the body. An engagement between the sleeve and the one or more second teeth moves the one or more second teeth out of engagement with the first teeth when the sleeve moves from the second rotational position to the first rotational position and moves the one or more second teeth into engagement with the first teeth when the sleeve moves from the first rotational position to the second rotational position. The engagement is configured so that a rotational torque applied to the sleeve at which the sleeve moves from the first rotational position to the second rotational position corresponds to an output gripping force between said plurality of jaws that is sufficient to secure a tool in said chuck for a predetermined operation.
A chuck for use with a manual or powered driver having a rotatable drive shaft according to a further embodiment of the present invention has a body having a nose section, a tail section, and a center axis, the tail section being configured to rotate with the drive shaft and the nose section having an axial bore formed therein and a plurality of passageways formed therethrough and intersecting the axial bore. A plurality of jaws are movably disposed in the passageways. A nut is rotatably mounted about the body and in operative communication with the jaws so that rotation of the nut in a closing direction with respect to the body moves the jaws toward the center axis of the body and rotation of the nut in an opening direction with respect to the body moves the jaws away from the center axis of the body. A sleeve is rotatably mounted about the body, the sleeve being in operative communication with the nut so that the sleeve rotationally drives the nut but is rotatable with respect to the nut between a first rotational position and a second rotational position. An annular array of first teeth are non-rotatable about the center axis with respect to the body. One or more second teeth are non-rotatable about the center axis with respect to the nut and axially movable with respect to the body, the one or more second teeth being configured so that when the one or more second teeth engage the first teeth, the one or more second teeth and the first teeth resist rotation of the one or more second teeth, and thereby the nut, in the opening direction with respect to the body. An engagement between the sleeve and the one or more second teeth moves the one or more second teeth out of engagement with the first teeth when the sleeve moves from the second rotational position to the first rotational position and moves the one or more second teeth into engagement with the first teeth when the sleeve moves from the first rotational position to the second rotational position. The engagement is configured so that a rotational torque applied to the sleeve at which the sleeve moves from the first rotational position to the second rotational position is approximately fifty-seven inch-pounds or approximately sixty inch-pounds.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one or more embodiments of the present invention.
A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth more particularly in the remainder of the specification, which makes reference to the accompanying figures, in which:
Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features or elements of the invention.
Reference will now be made in detail to presently preferred embodiments of the disclosure, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and variations can be made in the present disclosure without departing from the scope or spirit thereof. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment may be used on another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present disclosure covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
Referring to
Body 14 defines three passageways 40 to accommodate three jaws 22. Each jaw is separated from each adjacent jaw by an arc of approximately 120°. The axes of passageways 40 and jaws 22 are angled with respect to the chuck center axis 30 such that each passageway axis travels through axial bore 34 and intersects axis 30 at a common point ahead of the chuck body. The jaws form a grip that moves radially toward and away from the chuck axis to grip and release a tool, and each jaw 22 has a tool engaging face 42 generally parallel to chuck body axis. Threads 44, formed on each jaw's opposite or outer surface, may be constructed in any suitable type and pitch, and in certain embodiments described herein in a type and pitch to achieve a desired grip torque in response to a predetermined sleeve tightening torque. As illustrated in
Body tail section 26 includes a knurled surface 54 that receives an optional rear sleeve (not shown) or cover disk 3 in a press fit. The rear sleeve or disk could also be retained by press fit without knurling, by use of a key or by crimping, staking, riveting, threading or any other suitable securing mechanism. In the presently described embodiments, the chuck is constructed with a single hand-grippable sleeve (18) with a rear disk (3), but it should be understood that two-sleeve (rear and front sleeve) embodiments are also encompassed by the present disclosure.
Retainer member 70 includes a first generally cylindrical portion 72, a second generally cylindrical portion 76, and a frustoconical portion 74 extending therebetween. First cylindrical portion 72 is configured to be press fit over nose section 24 in a location so that a rear edge 78 of second cylindrical portion 76 will engage nut 16 to prevent nut 16 from moving axially forward more than a desired amount. More specifically, rear edge 78 defines an annular engagement surface 80 that is configured to abut a forward axial face 17 of nut 16. This desired amount of axial movement can be determined by the location in which nut retainer member 70 is pressed or otherwise retained onto the body member. It should be appreciated that although nut retainer member 70 may be adapted to be press fit onto the nose portion of the body, it may be secured in any other suitable manner in accordance with the present disclosure. For example, and as illustrated in
Additionally, first cylindrical portion 72 defines an annular ratchet 83 including an array of locking teeth 84. Locking teeth 84 of the ratchet are disposed radially inwardly of annular engagement surface 80 and of a plurality of dogs 85 that extend forward from face 17 of nut 16. Locking teeth 84 extend forwardly, so that the forwardmost distal edges of the teeth lie in a common plane perpendicular to center axis 30. The teeth face forwardly, along the line of center axis 30, toward body front face 28. As such, when annular engagement surface 80 is received on forward axial face 17 of nut 16, locking teeth 84 are disposed radially inwardly of dogs 85 and face axially forward away from nut forward face 17.
Nose piece 20 may also be press fit to a cylindrical portion of body nose section 24, but in the presently illustrated embodiments, nose piece 20 is retained on nose section 24 against forward axial movement by a C-clip 87 received in a groove 89 in the nose section 24. Nose piece 20 may be coated with a non-ferrous metallic coating to prevent rust and to enhance its appearance. Examples of suitable coatings include zinc or nickel, although it should be appreciated that any suitable coating could be utilized.
Chuck 10 includes a generally annular lock ring 60 disposed within the inner circumference of sleeve 18 and axially between nose piece 20 and a plurality (in this instance, three) cam dogs 67 disposed equidistantly around the sleeve's inner diameter and extending radially inward therefrom. As explained in more detail below, lock ring 60 engages the cam dogs on the axially rearwardly facing side of lock ring 60. A coil spring 95 is disposed operatively between nose piece 20 and the axially forwardly facing surface of lock ring 60. An axially rearward end of coil spring 95 engages a generally planar (in a plane transverse to axis 30) annular surface 91 of lock ring 60, while an axially forward end of spring 95 is received in an axially rearwardly facing annular recess of nose piece 20. As nose piece 20 is retained in the axially forward direction by C-clip 87, spring 95 biases lock ring 60 in the axially rearward direction with respect to the body, i.e. into cam dogs 67 and toward locking teeth 84. As described in more detail below, drive dogs 641 (
The outer circumferential surface of front sleeve 18 may be knurled or may be provided with longitudinal ribs or other protrusions to enable the operator to grip the sleeve securely. In like manner, the circumferential surface of a rear sleeve, if employed, may be knurled or ribbed if desired. The front and rear sleeves may be molded or otherwise fabricated from a structural plastic such as polycarbonate, a filled polypropylene, for example a glass filled polypropylene, or a blend of structural plastic materials. Other composite materials such as, for example, graphite filled polymerics may also be suitable in certain environments. As should be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the materials from which the chuck of the present disclosure is fabricated will depend on the end use of the chuck, and the above materials are provided by way of example only.
Nut 16 has threads 56 for mating with jaw threads 44. Nut 16 is positioned about the body in engagement with the jaw threads so that when the nut is rotated with respect to the body, the jaws will be advanced or retracted, depending on the nut's rotational direction. Additionally, the nut's forward axial face 17 includes recesses 62 that receive respective drive dogs 64 extending from lock ring 60. Each recess 62 extends axially rearwardly from the axially forward distal ends of dogs 85 and terminates at the planar surface 17 that is substantially transverse to the chuck's longitudinal center axis 30 (which is also the center of rotation of the nut). The angular width of recesses 62 is approximately equal to the angular width of lock ring dogs 64, although there is sufficient clearance to allow a sliding fit between the two. As described below, although lock ring 60 travels slightly axially with respect to nut 16, the depth of recesses 62 and the length of dogs 64, are sufficient that dogs 64 remain engaged within their respective recesses 62 throughout the operation of chuck 10, including through the lock ring's axial movement with respect to the nut, for example as illustrated in
As noted, drive dogs 641 (
Lock ring 60 includes an annular ring portion 61 and a plurality of locking teeth 63. Locking teeth 63 extend axially rearwardly from annular ring portion 61 to distal ends of the teeth that lie generally in a common plane transverse to axis 30. The inner and outer diameters (in the radial direction with respect to axis 30) of the ring of teeth 63 are approximately the same as the inner and outer diameters of teeth 84 on nut retainer member 70. Thus, teeth 63 oppose teeth 84 in the axial direction and selectively engage teeth 84 depending on axial movement of lock ring 70, as described below. The angular width of teeth 63 and 84, and the spacings between the teeth, are selected so that when teeth 63 engage teeth 84, lock ring 60 is rotationally fixed to nut retainer 70 and, therefore, to body 14. The ring of teeth 63 is radially inward of dogs 64, which extend into recesses 62 over the outer diameter of nut retainer 70.
Lock ring 60 is a clutch that selectively rotationally fixes the nut to, and rotationally releases the nut from, the body, as actuated by sleeve 18. Each sleeve cam dog 67 extends axially forwardly to either side of a respective opposing cam dog 99 extending rearward from annular ring portion 91 of lock ring 60, depending on the sleeve's rotational position with respect nut 16 and lock ring 60 as described below. In an unlocked condition of chuck 10, each sleeve cam dog 67 is received in a corresponding gap 101 between its lock ring cam dog 99 and the adjacent dog 64. In the locked position of chuck 10, each sleeve cam dog 67 is received in a respective gap 103 in annular ring portion 61 of lock ring 60. As described in more detail below, gaps 101 and 103 have different axial heights, such that when cam dogs 67 are received in respective gaps 101, the cam dogs force ring 60 axially forward against the bias provided by spring 95. In this condition, teeth 63 are disengaged from teeth 84 on nut retainer 70, and sleeve drive dogs 641 can abut respective faces 110 of recesses 69 so that rotation of sleeve 18 in a chuck opening direction 92 drives nut 16 in the jaw-opening direction. On the other side, and referring also to
When sleeve 18 is in the second rotational position with respect to nut 16 and lock ring 60, gaps 103 of ring 60 receive respective sleeve cam dogs 67. Opposite engagement surfaces 109 of sleeve cam dogs 67 engage respective opposing engagement faces 111 of lock ring cam dog 99. Engagement surfaces 105 are engagable with respective edges 115 of gaps 103.
Due to the greater depth of gap 103 in the forward axial direction, as compared to gap 101, the reception of sleeve cam dogs 67 in respective gaps 103 allows lock ring 60 to move axially rearward under the bias of spring 95 so that teeth 63 of ring 60 engage teeth 84 of nut retainer 70. Since nut retainer 70 is rotationally fixed to body 14, this rotationally fixes lock ring 60 to the body. Further, since nut 16 is rotationally fixed to lock ring 60 through the engagement of lock ring dogs 64 and nut recesses 62, this also rotationally fixes nut 16 to the body, thereby inhibiting the nut's undesired rotation in the tightening or loosening directions during the chuck's normal use in operation of the driver.
A bearing washer 31 and an annular bearing cage 35 are received between thrust ring 46 of body 14 and nut 16. Bearing washer 31 is disposed adjacent first surface 47 of thrust ring 46, such that a plurality of bearing elements, in this case bearing balls 37, of bearing cage 35 make contact with its axially forward surface and an axially rearward surface of nut 16.
Referring to
Referring also to
As illustrated in
To open the chuck from the locked condition, and referring now to
The movement of sleeve 18 from the first rotational position with respect to the nut to the second rotational position, i.e. the sleeve cam dogs' movement from gaps 101, over lock ring cam dogs 99, and into gaps 103, produces an audible click and a slight vibration in the sleeve. Thus, the user receives audible and tactile indications that the user has actuated the locking clutch and moved the chuck into the locked condition. Once the nut stops rotating, the amount of torque in closing direction 90 needed to be applied to sleeve 18 to move the sleeve from the first position to the second position is a function of several variables, i.e. the angle of surfaces 105 and 107 with respect to chuck axis 30, the amount of friction between those surfaces (considering lubricant, if any, applied between these components), the bias force applied by spring 95, and the distance needed for ring 60 to travel against that bias in order for the sleeve cam dog and the lock ring cam dog to pass over each other (i.e. dog height). Given that, for any given user, there will be a maximum amount of torque that particular user will be able to apply to sleeve 18 in closing direction 90, and that this maximum capable torque varies from user to user, it is believed that among the significant majority of users, the lowest maximum torque those users are able to apply to the sleeve is approximately sixty inch-pounds. For the presently described embodiments, therefore, the angle of surfaces 105 and 107 with respect to chuck axis 30, the frictional co-efficient between those surfaces (as defined by the materials from which they are made and any coatings, such that the selection of such materials corresponds to selection of frictional performance), the dog height, and the force of spring 95 are chosen so that the rotational torque in closing direction 90 needed to move sleeve 18 from the first rotational position with respect to nut 16 to the second rotational position is approximately sixty inch-pounds. In a further embodiment, these variables are chosen so that the rotational torque needed to move the sleeve from the first to the second rotational position is slightly below sixty inch-pounds, for example approximately 5% below that level. By approximating the point at which the chuck moves from an unlocked to a locked position to the upper end of the user's ability to apply torque to the chuck sleeve, and by providing to the user audible and tactile notification that the chuck has moved to the locked position, the presently-described embodiments allow the user to manually tighten the chuck in a single smooth motion up to the maximum tightness, without need to tighten the chuck further after locking occurs. Because the lock occurs at the point at which the user has generally applied the greatest amount of torque the user would apply, or close to that point, the occurrence of the locking notification occurs at a point at which the user intuitively understands that the chuck is fully tightened, thereby precluding uncertainty in the user regarding whether further tightening is required.
As will also be understood in view of the present disclosure, these variables, and in addition the pitch of the nut and jaw threads, the form of the threads, the tightness of the thread mesh, the type of lubricant, if any, provided between the nut threads and the jaw threads, the materials from which the nut threads and the jaw threads are made and/or finished (for example, in one presently described embodiment, the nut threads and the jaw threads are coated with zinc phosphate), the bearing system, the angle of the jaw passageways relative to the chuck axis, and the area of contact generally between movable abutting surfaces of the chuck components between application of the sleeve tightening torque and the application of the grip torque determine the amount of closing force the jaws apply to a bit shank (i.e. grip torque) in response to the torque the user applies to the sleeve at the point the sleeve moves from the first to the second rotational position (i.e. at the point the clutch actuates to move the chuck from the unlocked to the locked condition). That is, the mechanical interface between the nut and the jaws (i.e. between their threads), the mechanical interface between the sleeve and the lock ring, the mechanical interface between the nut and the body, the mechanical interface between the jaws and the body, and the mechanical interface between the nut and the lock ring determine how the sleeve, the lock ring, the nut, and the jaws translate the tightening torque the user applies to the sleeve into grip torque that the jaws apply to the bit shank. In the embodiments described herein, these variables are also chosen so that when the sleeve moves from the first to the second position (i.e. the chuck moves from the unlocked to the locked condition) at the desired user-applied sleeve torque, the mechanism of the chuck between the sleeve and the jaws applies at least a sufficient amount of grip torque to the bit shank that is sufficient to secure the bit shank in the chuck for chuck's expected normal operation without slipping of the shank in the jaws. Thus, the first audible and tactile indication the user receives from the chuck that the chuck has moved to the locked position occurs not only at the point that the user has generally applied the maximum user-applied torque to the sleeve, but also at a point at which the chuck has fully tightened its grip of the tool shank to a predetermined desired level. Of course, the level of desired griping torque might vary among different circumstances. Once the desired grip torque is defined, however, the variables described above may be selected to provide that grip torque in the circumstance where the sleeve moves from the first to the second rotational position, and therefore that the chuck moves from the unlocked to the locked state, upon application of approximately or nearly sixty inch-pounds of closing torque to the sleeve.
In a second embodiment, and referring to
In the embodiment illustrated in
In this embodiment, dogs 64 of lock ring 60 remain received in nut recesses 62, thereby rotationally locking nut 16 and lock ring 60 to each other. Cam dog 99, and gaps 101 and 103, however, are defined in the forward surface of nut 16, rather than in the lock ring. Thus, sleeve cam dog 67 (
When sleeve drive dogs 641 are received in respective gaps 101 in the forward face of nut 16, the axially forward ends of sleeve drive dogs 641 push lock ring 60 axially forward against the bias of spring 95, thereby disengaging teeth 63 from teeth 84 and allowing nut 16 and lock ring 60 to rotate with respect to the body.
If the user grips sleeve 18 and applies torque to sleeve 18 in opening direction 92, the sleeve rotates with respect to the nut and the lock ring until the leading edges of sleeve drive dogs 641 (which extend from a base portion 641′) engage respective side edges 110 of nut dogs 85. Upon applying further torque to the sleeve in opening direction 92, drive dogs 641 turn nut 16 in the opening direction. If the user applies tightening torque to sleeve 18 in closing direction 90, drive dogs 641 move angularly in gap 101 until the leading edges of dogs 641 reach engaging surfaces 107 of respective nut cam dogs 99. Surface 107 is generally planar and is disposed at an acute angle with respect to chuck axis 30. As the user continues to apply tightening torque to sleeve 18 in closing direction 90, dogs 641 apply closing force to dogs 99, thereby causing nut 16 and lock ring 60 to rotate in closing direction 90 and moving jaws 22 radially inward in respective passageways 40 until the jaws grip a tool shank. When the jaws grip the tool shank, the nut resists further rotation due to a wedge between the nut threads and the jaw threads as described above. The chuck construction variables discussed above, now including the slope angle of surfaces 107 of nut cam dogs 99 with respect to the chuck axis, are chosen so that drive dogs 641 move up sloped engagement faces 107 and over cam dogs 99 and into gaps 103 at approximately sixty inch-pounds of tightening torque applied to the sleeve, or slightly below that level. This causes sleeve 18 to move slightly axially as the drive dogs move over cam dogs 99 and as the drive dogs drop into gap 103. As in the embodiments described above, there are three equidistantly spaced pairs of dogs 641/99.
When drive dogs 641 move over cam dogs 99, the force applied by spring 95 in the rearward axial direction pushes lock ring 60 and drive dogs 641 (and, therefore, sleeve 18) in the axially rearward direction until drive dogs 641 are fully received in respective gaps 103. The height of cam dogs 99 with respect to drive dogs 641, and the orientation of teeth 63 with respect to drive dogs 641, are selected so that when drive dogs 641 are received in gaps 101 and are passing over cam dogs 99, teeth 63 are disengaged from teeth 84 but that when the drive dogs are received in gaps 103, teeth 63 engage teeth 84, thereby rotationally locking nut 16 to body 14. As the sides of drive dogs 641 are parallel to each other and to chuck axis 30, as are the opposing sides of gap 103, the user is unable to further tighten nut 16 simply by applying tightening torque to sleeve 18. The user may, however, grip the sleeve and move the sleeve axially forward against the bias of spring 95 until teeth 63 disengage from teeth 84. At this point, drive dogs 641 remain within gaps 103. If the user then applies a tightening torque to sleeve 18 in closing direction 90, the leading edges of sleeve drive dogs 641 engage edges 108 of gaps 69, thereby allowing the user to apply further tightening torque to the nut.
To open the chuck from this condition, the user grips sleeve 18 and pulls the sleeve axially forward against the bias of spring 95 until teeth 63 disengage from teeth 84. At the point that drive dogs 641 reach the height of cam dogs 99, the user may turn sleeve 84 in opening direction 92 so that drive dogs 641 move angularly within recesses 119 until dogs 641 pass over dogs 99 and return to gaps 101. The user may further rotate sleeve 18 until the leading edge of dogs 641 engage edges 110 of a dog 85, at which point the user may apply loosening torque to the nut.
While one or more preferred embodiments of the present image have been described above, it should be understood that any and all equivalent realizations of the present invention are included within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. Thus, the depicted embodiments are presented by way of example only and are not intended as limitations on the present invention. It should be understood that aspects of the various one or more embodiments may be interchanged both in whole or in part. Therefore, it is contemplated that any and all such embodiments are included in the present invention as may fall within the literal or equivalent scope of the present disclosure.
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